Filter element for an automotive air filter and air filter device.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- BR112021026139
- Authority / Receiving Office
- BR · BR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-08
Smart Images
Figure 00000026_0000 
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Abstract
Description
1 / 22 “FILTER ELEMENT FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE AIR FILTER AND AIR FILTER DEVICE”
[001] The invention relates to a filter element for a motor vehicle air filter with a structure that surrounds a filter element material at least partially. The structure includes a front wall that extends essentially vertically in relation to an insertion direction. The filter element can be inserted into a housing fitting of an air filter in the insertion direction. Furthermore, the invention relates to an air filter with such a filter element.
[002] DE 10 2007 018 215 A1 describes an air filter for a motor vehicle air conditioning system, surrounded by a frame around the pleated filter medium. Two slots protrude from one wall of the frame, into which couplings can be inserted. The couplings are applied to a cover, which can be used to close one of the boxes where the air filter fits. A sealing element, abutting the frame of the box through the box covered by the cover, is made in one piece with a connecting plate of the cover.
[003] DE 10 2015 004 645 A1 describes a filter element for filtering combustion air, which is injected into a combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The filter element has an intermediate filter body that is supported and held in an internal support in the form of a support structure. End plates are located on the axial front parts of the support. Each joint joins two tab-shaped pieces, each with engagement elements, with one of the end plates. The pieces with the corresponding engagement elements are fixed to the end plate via the joining piece. Furthermore, the pieces are located laterally from the filter element. The engagement elements engage in a position for installing the filter element with the corresponding engagement, which is en Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 6 / 63 2 / 22 against a filter box. Through a cover applied over the filter box, the engagement elements are fixed in their engaged position.
[004] One disadvantage can be observed in that the protruding parts on the sides with the engagement elements occupy comparatively a lot of space inside the filter box, which cannot be used or is not available for the filters that filter the air.
[005] In addition, the cover can also be applied to the filter housing when no filter element is inside it. Both of these aspects are negative.
[006] The objective of the present invention is therefore to obtain a filter element of the type mentioned above, with good use of the available space and which allows for functional operation of the air filter.
[007] This objective is achieved with a filter element having the characteristics of claim 1 and an air filter having the characteristics of claim 4. In the dependent claims, advantageous embodiments with suitable improvements of the invention are presented.
[008] The filter element for a motor vehicle air filter according to the present invention has a structure that surrounds a filter element material at least partially. The structure includes a front wall. The front wall extends vertically in relation to an insertion direction, where the filter element can be inserted into a housing of an air filter box - hereinafter also referred to as air filter box or housing. On the front side of the front wall there is at least one fastening element. An air filter cover intended to enclose the housing can be attached to at least one fastening element. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 7 / 63 3 / 22 xe.
[009] At least one fastening element has at least one retaining piece set back from the front side of the front wall. In this case, at least one retaining piece must engage with a corresponding retaining piece on the cover to close the fitting by means of an air filter cover. In this way, a particularly tight fit of the cover can be achieved on the air filter housing. The closure provided also ensures the closed position of the cover.
[0010] According to the present invention, at least one fastening element has two retaining pieces that are formed from a rod of the fastening element transversely to the protruding wing in the insertion direction. A wing of this type can very easily engage with the corresponding retaining piece of the cover. Furthermore, a fastening element with wings of this type or retaining pieces occupies little space, achieving a secure fastening of the cover in the area of the opening of the fitting for the filter element inside the air filter box, interacting a closing element of the cover with the fastening element and thus engaging a closing element with a corresponding retaining piece on the wing.
[0011] It is also particularly advantageous that each retaining piece has a first and a second end, one end having a ramp shape relative to the other end. At the ramp-shaped end of this type, the corresponding retaining piece can be moved along its length to secure the cover when the cover is attached to the housing in its closed position. Through the ramp shape of the retaining piece on the filter side – or also wing – it is possible to achieve a particularly tight fit of the cover to the air filter housing. Due to the ramp shape of the retaining piece, especially when securing the cover to the Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 8 / 63 4 / 22 In its closed position, where the lid rests against the box, a strong movement can be achieved, which sustains the lid seal against the box.
[0012] In the filter element, which has the fastening element located on the front side of the front wall, it is advantageous that the vehicle's air filter can only function when the filter element is incorporated, more specifically inserted, into the housing. Therefore, to securely close the housing by means of the air filter cover, at least one fastening element, which is part of the filter element, is necessary. In other words, it is not possible to securely fit the cover onto the air filter housing when the filter element is not inserted into the housing housing. In this way, it is possible to prevent the air filter from activating improperly. Consequently, the filter element allows for the correct functioning of the air filter.
[0013] Furthermore, it is possible to replace at least one fastening element along with the filter element when replacing the filter element. This aspect is advantageous when, for example, a tensioning form and / or a retaining form of the fastening element is subjected to wear when the air filter cover is attached to the fastening element to close the cover of the fitting formed in the air filter housing.
[0014] Preferably, at least one fastening element is set back in height from the front wall by a lower edge of the front wall and protrudes against the direction of insertion from the front side.
[0015] With this easy-access arrangement of the fastening element at the front of the filter element, good accessibility is achieved for fastening with the closing element on the side of the cover, which advantageously has a sleeve-shaped retention area where the fastening element can be inserted. In particular Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 9 / 63 5 / 22 This ensures that the closing element installed on the cover encloses or covers the fastening element. This aspect is advantageous for a robust and reliable fastening of the cover to the filter element.
[0016] By rotating the closing element around an axis of rotation, at least one fastening element covered by the retention area can be tensioned with the closing element of the cover, securing the fastening element on the filter element side with the fastening element on the closing element on the cover side. In this way, a very robust and resistant fastening is achieved, especially a fastening of the cover to the filter element.
[0017] In this case, it is sufficient for the fastening element to extend slightly beyond the front side against the insertion direction. The resulting reduced height of the fastening element, observed in the insertion direction, is advantageous in terms of making good use of the available space with the filter material of the filter element.
[0018] In another preferred embodiment, a retaining tab protrudes from the front wall of the filter element on a thin side. By inserting the retaining tab into a retaining cavity on the side of the air filter housing, the filter element is securely fastened against movement.
[0019] When the retaining tab is inserted into the retaining cavity of the housing, the filter element can no longer be inserted deeper or extracted from the housing against the direction of insertion. The same applies when the direction of insertion is not horizontal, that is, when the filter element is inserted or threaded obliquely in relation to the horizontal into the housing. Even in such a case, the retaining tab prevents the filter element from exiting the housing or entering deeper into the housing, provided that the retaining tab is inserted into the retaining cavity. Inserting the retaining tab into the retaining cavity ensures that the entire filter element is properly positioned. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 10 / 63 6 / 22 oriented. That is, in this mounting position of the filter element in the housing, at least one fastening element for securing the cover to the air filter is also simultaneously oriented.
[0020] If the retaining tab protrudes from a thinner lower side of the front wall - relative to the mounting position, the force of gravity acts during the insertion or introduction of the filter element into the fitting, lowering the front wall when it reaches the retaining cavity in the housing, through the retaining tab. In this way, the filter element can be mounted extremely easily in the air filter housing.
[0021] The presence of the retaining tab, designed for insertion into the retention cavity provided on the side of the housing, also allows that, during the disassembly of the filter element, that is, during the extraction of the filter element from the housing, the front wall and therefore the entire filter element, is initially slightly elevated. In this way, it is possible to prevent the filter element – more precisely the filter material of the filter element – from hanging in the area of the air filter housing and potentially being damaged. This makes particular sense when the filter element is only temporarily disassembled, possibly to remove dust or solids by shaking or tapping the filter element before reinserting the filter element into the housing.
[0022] Preferably, the retaining tongue is made in one piece with the front wall body. This allows the retaining tongue to be prepared with particular ease and economically during the production of the structure. In addition, it can be provided that the retaining tongue has a thick part in the insertion direction that corresponds to a thick part on the thin side of the plate-shaped body. In this way, the retaining tongue is especially robust and resistant. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 11 / 63 7 / 22
[0023] Preferably, the filter element has at least one support plate extending between the two walls in opposite positions of the filter element structure, joining the two walls together. By providing such a support plate, the plate and the filter material are well stabilized, which surrounds the filter element structure at least in part (and preferably in its entirety), more specifically around which the filter element structure covers at least in part (and preferably in its entirety). This situation allows, for example, after removing the filter element from the fitting, the removal of solids accumulated on the tube side in the form of dust or similar particles from the filter material by shaking or tapping, without permanently affecting the shape of the filter material.
[0024] When the filter material has several folds, the support board may have tooth-like or pin-like protrusions that extend from the back of the support board in the form of slats and engage with the folds of the filter material. Thus, even during or after the removal of solids from the pleated filter material by beating or shaking or similar methods, it is possible to protect the shape of the filter material's folds very well.
[0025] The air filter device according to the present invention for a motor vehicle has, according to the present invention, a filter element, wherein the filter element is inserted into a fitting space, which is constituted in an air filter housing.
[0026] The air filter may be specifically designed as an air filter for a climate control system, more specifically a ventilation system for a motor vehicle. Additionally, the air filter may be designed for an intake manifold of a motor vehicle's combustion engine, therefore as a filter for the air drawn in from a... Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 12 / 63 8 / 22 combustion engine.
[0027] The mounting space can be enclosed by means of a lid to seal the air filter device housing from the environment, the lid having at least one closing element that is attached to the two ramp-shaped retaining pieces of at least one filter element fastening element according to the present invention. By attaching the lid directly to the filter element or to the filter element fastening element, it is ensured that only in the presence of a filter element according to the present invention correctly mounted in the mounting space of the air filter housing can it be enclosed by means of the lid. This reliably prevents the air filter from operating without the filter element inserted.
[0028] Preferably, at least one of the lid's closing elements can rotate around an axis of rotation, being constructed in the form of a sleeve, so that it can wrap around at least one fastening element on the filter side and engage in the closed position the two retaining pieces on the lid's side of the closing element with the two corresponding retaining pieces of the fastening element on the filter side and, due to the ramp shape of the retaining pieces on the sides of the fastening element - tension each other. Due to the interaction of the closing element with the fastening element, a particularly secure and watertight fastening of the lid in its position on the housing is achieved.
[0029] It can also be foreseen that the cover can be kept in the air filter box so that it can oscillate. This allows for very intuitive use of the device.
[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the air filter device housing is provided to have at least one retention cavity where the retention tab can be inserted. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 13 / 63 9 / 22 filter element.
[0031] When the filter element's retaining tab engages with the designated retaining cavity, the filter element – or the fastening element – is correctly positioned in the housing, so that the air filter device cover can be secured by means of at least one closing element to at least one fastening element on the filter side, thus closing the housing. This device ensures that only with the filter element correctly mounted in the air filter housing can the housing be closed by means of the cover, preventing the air filter device from inadvertently operating without the filter element.
[0032] Preferably, the air filter device housing has at least one recess element that is pre-installed in a retaining cavity in the direction of insertion. A recess element of this kind – especially when associated with the retaining cavity – ensures that the filter element cannot be inadvertently removed from the housing while the retaining tab is in the retaining cavity. In particular, it can be provided that the retaining tab rests on at least one retaining element when the retaining tab is inserted into the retaining cavity and the cover is secured to the filter element.
[0033] At least one of the retraction elements may especially be constituted as a retaining tooth in the form of a ramp, obliquely ascending when viewed in the direction of introduction. In the direction of the longitudinal extension of the retention cavity – therefore transversely to the direction of introduction – several of these ramp-shaped retention cavity retention teeth of this type may be found in the direction of introduction. One can thus push a lower side of the retaining tongue very easily over these Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 14 / 63 10 / 22 retaining teeth in a ramp shape until the retaining tongue, preferably gravity-driven, descends into the retention cavity, which is downstream of the retaining teeth in the insertion direction. The retaining tongue can also be further lowered, especially with the retaining teeth in a ramp shape, as soon as the retaining tongue engages in the retention cavity.
[0034] Preferably, the housing has at least one ramp that is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the retention cavity, next to the retention cavity. In this case, at least one ramp is obliquely constructed and descends from the retention cavity towards the insertion point. With such a ramp, it is easy and safe to prevent the filter element from getting caught and / or damaging the filter material when removing or pulling it out of the housing.
[0035] When the filter element has at least one board that joins the side walls of the structure together, at least one ramp also prevents the filter element with such a board from being suspended in a part of the box, more specifically the board engages with this part.
[0036] Preferably, at least one ramp has an upper zone, in which the height of at least one ramp is greater in the upper zone than the maximum height of at least one retaining element. This makes it easy to ensure that the filter element structure does not hang over at least one retaining element when the filter element is removed from its housing.
[0037] Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that at least one ramp, viewed from the direction of introduction, is obliquely ascending. This facilitates the introduction of the filter element into the fitting, which is formed in the air filter box. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 15 / 63 11 / 22
[0038] The advantages described for the filter element according to the present invention and preferred embodiments are also applicable to the air filter according to the present invention and vice versa.
[0039] Other advantages, features and particularities of the invention are evident from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The present features mentioned and combinations of features, as well as the individual features and combinations referred to below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures, can be used not only in the indicated combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0040] These show:
[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a filter element for an air filter in a motor vehicle;
[0042] Figure 2 shows a detailed enlarged view of the filter element according to Figure 1, in which a fastening element installed on the front side of a front wall of a filter element structure can be seen more clearly;
[0043] Figure 3 shows a cross-section of an air filter box that was constructed to house the filter element according to Figure 1;
[0044] Figure 4 shows a detailed, partially cutaway view of the area of a housing fitting opening, through which the filter element can be inserted according to Figure 1;
[0045] Figure 5 shows in a partially cut side view the introduction of the filter element according to Figure 1 into the box according to Figure 3;
[0046] Figure 6 shows in a partially cut side view the filter element inserted into the housing space, which Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 16 / 63 12 / 22 reached its final position in the sense of the introduction;
[0047] Figure 7 shows a detailed enlarged view of a front section of the filter element as well as the housing, where the front wall of the filter element is at the highest point of the retention cavity that is formed on the sides of the housing;
[0048] Figure 8 shows the gravity descent of the front wall, in order to engage a retaining tongue of the filter element, made in one piece with the front wall, in the retaining cavity;
[0049] Figure 9, in sections and in a front view, shows a cover for the air filter box, where the cover has a closure made like a screw-on cap, which serves to secure the cover of the filter element fastener shown in Figure 2;
[0050] Figure 10 shows in sections a rear view of the cover in the area of the screw lock;
[0051] Figure 11 shows a first step in disassembling the filter element, namely in disassembling the filter element, where the filter element is lifted in the area of the front wall and thus the retaining tab is removed from the retaining cavity;
[0052] Figure 12 shows a partially cutaway view of a plank sliding between several planks of the structure through both sides of the ramps arranged in the retention cavity during the extraction of the filter element from the fitting; and
[0053] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the two-plate filter element structure as per Figure 1 without the filter element filter material.
[0054] Figure 14 shows a cross-section of the air filter in the area of the cover, where a fastening element on the filter side is surrounded by a fastener on the cover side and
[0055] Figure 15 shows a cross-section of the agreement Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 17 / 63 13 / 22 with Figure 14, in which the fastening element and the lock are in the closed position.
[0056] In the figures, elements that are the same or have the same function are identified with the same references.
[0057] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a filter element 10, which is intended for mounting in a housing 12 (as shown in Figure 3) of an air filter for a motor vehicle, especially a truck. In the housing 12 of the air filter there is a fitting space 14 for the air filter (as shown in Figure 3), into which the filter element 10 shown in Figure 1 can be inserted or incorporated.
[0058] The filter element 10 includes a structure 16, which surrounds, more specifically encloses, a filter material 18 of the filter element 10. In the production of the filter element 10 as a pleated filter, the filter material 18 may have, as in the present case by way of example, multiple pleats. However, other shapes of the filter material 18 that can be traversed by air during the operation of the filter element 10 are also possible.
[0059] The structure 16, which, in the present case, more specifically encloses the filter material 18 all around, surrounds a front wall 20. The front wall 20 extends vertically in an insertion direction 22, which is shown in Figure 1 by an arrow. In the insertion direction 22, the filter element 10 can be introduced into a fitting space 14, formed in the box 12 or air filter box (as shown in Figure 3).
[0060] On the front side 24 of the front wall 20 there is a fastening element 26, which is shown enlarged in Figure 2. The structure 16 also encloses two side walls 28, 30, which extend from the front wall 20 in the insertion direction 22. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 18 / 63 14 / 22
[0061] At its rear end, the structure 16 is enclosed by means of a rear wall 32 which in this case is bent. This is due to the shape of the box 12, so in variants of the filter element 10 a structure 16 with other shapes may also be provided. Furthermore, the structure 16 does not need, as already shown by way of example, to completely encircle the filter material 18.
[0062] The fastening element 26 shown in Figure 2 is used to fix or hold a cover or lid 34 to the box 12. The lid 34 is partially shown in Figure 9, and its outer side can be seen facing the perimeter of the box 12.
[0063] In a body 38 of the cover 34 there is a fastener which in this case is made as a screw fastener 40. By means of a lever-type handle 58 it is possible to rotate the screw fastener 40 relative to the body 38 of the cover 34 around a rotation axis 70, as can be seen in Figure 10. The fastening element 26 interacts with the screw fastener 40 (as shown in Figure 2) to secure the cover 34 in its closed position.
[0064] To this end, the fastening element 26 has a shaft which in this case is made similar to a cylinder with a slot-shaped enlargement 62 (optional). The shaft 42 protrudes from the front side 24 of the front wall 20 in the insertion direction 22. From the shaft 42 extend, in this case essentially vertically in relation to the insertion direction 22, two retaining pieces in the form of a first wing 44 and a second wing 46.
[0065] From a first terminal zone 48 to a second opposite terminal zone 50, the wings 44, 46 have a ramp shape. Consequently, each of the wings 44, 46 thickens continuously from the first terminal zone 48 towards the height of each of the wings 44, 46 to the opposite terminal zone 50 of each of the wings 44, 46. The height of each of the wings 44, 46 thus corresponds Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 19 / 63 15 / 22 at a thickness of each of the wings 44, 46 in the insertion direction 22. The ramp built on each of the wings 44, 46 thus presents itself in the direction of the front wall 20 of the filter element 10.
[0066] The openings 52 (as shown in Figure 10) correspond to the wings 44, 46, which are formed on an inner side 54 of the cover 34 in the area of the screw closure 40. Furthermore, the screw closure 40, according to Figure 10, has two retaining pieces 56 inside, which are designed to engage with the wings 44, 46 of the fastening element 26 when the cover 34 is securely in its closed position, in which the cover 34 encloses the fitting 14 in the area of the fitting opening 64 (as shown in Figure 3). Through the fitting opening 64, it is possible to insert the filter element 10 into the fitting 14.
[0067] Through the wings 44, 46, tension forms are produced, more specifically retention forms on the sides of the filter element 10, which interact with the retention piece 56 of the screw closure 40 to hold the cover 34 in the closed position. In this case, the screw closure 40 applied to the cover 34 has the retention piece 56, which corresponds to the tension form or retention form, which are provided by the wings 44, 46.
[0068] The fastening element 26, which is preferably produced firmly attached to the structure 16 of the filter element 10 or in one piece with the front wall 20, then promotes, in this case, a fastening or securing of the cover 34 in its closed or locking position like a bayonet latch. And in the closed position, the cover 34 closes the fitting 14 formed in the housing 12 in the area of the fitting opening 64.
[0069] In Figure 10 it can also be seen that the screw fastener 40 has a sleeve-shaped retention area 66, into which the fastening element 26 can be inserted, thus closing the cover 34. For this purpose, the recesses 52 of the screw fastener 40 must be aligned Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 20 / 63 16 / 22 of the wings 44, 46 enter the recesses 52 of the sleeve-shaped retaining area 66. The retaining area 66 then engages the fastening element 26. When, subsequently, by activating the handle 58 (as shown in Figure 9) of the screw fastener 40, it is rotated or turned around its axis of rotation 70, the retaining parts 56 of the screw fastener engage with the wings 44, 46. Due to the ramp shape of the wings 44, 46, the fastening element 26 is placed under tension with the screw fastener 40 of the cover 34 and the cover 34 is pressed against the housing 12 in a watertight manner.
[0070] Due to the shape of the openings 52 corresponding to the shape of the wing 44, 46, a person closing the fitting space 14 of the box 12 with the lid 34 intuitively understands the operation of the screw lock 40. This aspect is advantageous from the point of view of simple use of the screw lock 40.
[0071] For handle 58, a stop 92 can be formed on the cover 34 (as shown in Figure 9) which produces a final position of the screw fastener 40 in the fastening of the cover 34. In this final position, the retaining pieces 56 of the screw fastener 40 (as shown in Figure 10) engage with the wings 44, 46 of the fastening element 26 (as shown in Figure 2).
[0072] In Figure 2 it can also be seen that the front wall 20 has a thin upper side 74. This thin side 74 is located in an upper position 68 of the filter element 10, which is represented in Figure 2 with an arrow, opposite a thin lower side 72 of a plate-shaped body 60 of the front wall 20. The height 68 is preferably, in the mounting position of the filter element 10, against the direction of the force of gravity.
[0073] In this case, the filter element 10 has a retaining tab 76 set away from the fixing element 26. The retaining tab 76 overlaps the thin lower side 72 – or lower margin – of the plate-shaped body 60 of the front wall 20. In the present Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 21 / 63 17 / 22 In this case, the retaining tongue 76 is made in one piece together with the body 60 of the front wall 20. The functions of this retaining tongue 76 will be explained below by reference to the following figures.
[0074] As shown in Figure 3, the fitting opening 64 is limited on the lower side by a wall 78. This wall 78 is shown in Figure 4 sectioned and partially cut.
[0075] In particular, in Figure 4, it can be clearly seen that in wall 78 there is a retention cavity 80, which, based on the dimensions, in this case especially in depth in the insertion direction 22 and in width vertically in relation to the insertion direction 22, corresponds to the dimensions of the retention tab 76. Consequently, the retention tab 76 of the filter element 10 can be inserted into the retention cavity 80, which is provided on the sides of the air filter housing 12. When the filter element 10 is in the fitting space 14 of the housing 12 in its mounting position (as shown in Figure 8), the retention tab 76 consequently engages with the retention cavity 80.
[0076] The retaining or locking tab 76, located on the lower edge of the structure 16, acts as a support for the filter element 10. Consequently, the retaining tab prevents the filter element 10 from sliding out of the locking space 14. This situation is especially advantageous when the insertion direction 22 does not occur in the actual mounting situation of the filter element 10 but is inclined.
[0077] Furthermore, the retaining tab 76 serves to pre-fix the filter element 10 with a view of the cover 34. Then when the retaining tab 76 is in the retaining cavity 80, the fastening element 26 or the fastening element is correctly oriented, namely so that the screw closure Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, page 22 / 63 18 / 22 (as per Figure 9 and Figure 10) may interact against the fastening element 26.
[0078] In this case, the fastening element 26, in the width direction and across the front wall 20, therefore observed vertically in relation to the insertion direction 22, is essentially in the center of the front side 24 of the front wall 20. A very uniform pressure is thus exerted by the cover 34 against the housing 12 when the screw fastener 40 is activated and is screwed around the axis of rotation 70.
[0079] In addition, the two wide ramps, formed in the area of the wings 44, 46, of the fastening element 26 promote a very robust fastening of the cover 34 to the filter element 10.
[0080] When tension is applied to the fastening element 40 with the fastening element 26 actuating the thread lock 40, the front side 24 of the filter element 10 through the retaining tab 76 comes into contact with the retaining elements, which are made similar to the ramp-shaped retaining teeth 82 (as shown in Figure 4) and which are pre-installed in the insertion direction in the retaining cavity 80. The retaining cavity 80 and the retaining element 82 thus constitute the support for applying tension to the cover 34 and the filter element 10 through the closure 40 and fastening element 26.
[0081] In the present case, the retaining teeth 82 rise obliquely, viewed in the insertion direction 22, so that the retaining tongue 76, when sliding along the retaining teeth 82, moves first upwards 68, when the filter element 10 is inserted into the fitting 64, in the fitting space 14. Figure 5 shows this insertion of the filter element 10 into the fitting space 14 by an arrow 84, whose direction is the same as the insertion direction 22.
[0082] Figure 6 now shows the situation where the 10 in filter element has reached its final horizontal position within Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 23 / 63 19 / 22 fitting 14. Consequently, the rear wall 32 of the structure 16 is close to a wall 86 of the box 12, limited from behind by the fitting space 14. Especially a fence 88 installed on the rear wall 32 of the structure 16 may touch the wall 86.
[0083] In Figure 7, it can be seen with the help of arrow 90 how, after passing teeth 82 (as shown in Figure 4) and reaching the retention cavity 80, the retention tab 76 descends due to gravity. Then, the retention tab 76 enters the retention cavity by force of gravity, similar to a slit. Thus, the structure 16 of the filter element 10 descends by force of gravity, so that the retention tab 76 is at the top of the retention cavity 80 in the insertion direction 22.
[0084] Figure 8 shows this assembly situation, in which the retaining tab 76 engages with the retaining cavity 80. In the extraction direction, therefore in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 22, the retaining tab 76 is recessed relative to the housing 12. Then the fastening element 26 is also in its correct position, in which after the cover 34 folds back, more specifically a corresponding oscillation of the cover 34 around an oscillation axis on the side of the housing 12, the screw fastener 40 can interact with the fastening element 26.
[0085] Using Figure 11 and Figure 12, the extraction of the filter element 10 from the housing 14 is performed. First, the structure 16 of the filter element 10 is raised in the area of the front wall 20, so that the retaining tab 76 is no longer in the retaining cavity 80. This movement of extracting the retaining tab 76 out of the retaining cavity 80 is illustrated in Figure 11 by arrow 104, whose direction is opposite to that of arrow 90 shown in Figure 7. Otherwise, the direction shown in Figure 7 of the filter element 10 in relation to the housing 12 Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 24 / 63 20 / 22 corresponds to the direction shown in Figure 11 of filter element 10 in relation to box 12.
[0086] Next, the filter element 10 is extracted in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 22 of the fitting space 14. This movement is illustrated in Figure 12 by arrow 94. In addition, Figure 12 shows a partially cut plank 96 of the structure 16.
[0087] In Figure 13 it is visible that the structure 16 of the filter element 10 has two plates 96 of this type. The plates 96 join, in this case, the side walls 28, 30 together, however they can also join together the front wall 20 and the rear wall 32, depending on the direction in which the filter element 10 needs to be supported. This situation is especially necessary when a large expansion of the filter surface occurs in one direction and thus instability of the filter element 10 occurs.
[0088] Furthermore, the plates 96 have several extensions constituted as teeth 98 of a comb. These teeth 98, which protrude from a bar-shaped rear part of each plate 96 upwards, more specifically in a vertical direction 68, engage from below in the folds of the filter material 18 (as shown in Figure 1). In this way, especially the teeth 98 that narrow predominantly towards their free end of the plate 96 raise the filter material 18. With the plates 96 and the teeth 98, a high stability of the shape of the structure 16 and especially of the filter material 18 is achieved, even when the filter element 10 has a comparatively long shape in the insertion direction 22. Finally, this may be the case, especially when using the filter element 10 for an air filter device of a heavy vehicle.
[0089] Plates 96 allow especially for the solids that settle on the filter material 18 during the use of the device. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 25 / 63 21 / 22 air filter inserts can be easily detached from the filter material with light taps or shaking, without affecting the folds of the filter material 18.
[0090] In Figure 12 it is especially evident, in comparison with Figure 4, that the extraction of the filter element 10 from the fitting space 14 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 22, follows a lower side of the boards 96 along the corresponding ramps 100. The ramps 100 thus serve as extraction rails for the filter element 10 during the extraction of the filter element 10 from the fitting space 14.
[0091] In this case, there are two ramps 100 on wall 78, which are located longitudinally in the retention cavity 80, more specifically in the lengthwise direction of the retention cavity 80 in the shape of a slit, laterally next to the retention cavity 80 (as shown in Figure 4).
[0092] Starting from an upper zone 102 of each ramp 100, which is located near the top of a front edge of the retention cavity 80, the ramps 100 have an obliquely descending shape when viewed in the insertion direction 22. In the upper zone 102, the ramps 100 predominantly have an elevation that is greater than the maximum height of the retention teeth 82. This especially prevents the boards 96 from engaging with the retention teeth 82 during the extraction of the filter element 10 from the fitting space 14 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 22 or the retention teeth 82 from becoming pendulous (as shown in Figure 12).
[0093] Furthermore, the ramps 100, facing the insertion direction 22, are obliquely shaped in an increasing manner in relation to the upper zone 102, as are the retaining teeth 82 (as shown in Figure 4). Consequently, the ramps 100 also prevent the filter element 10 from entering during the introduction of the filter element 10 into Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 26 / 63 22 / 22 engagement space 14, can engage with the retaining teeth 82.
[0094] The ramps 100 also prevent the rear wall 32 of the structure 16 from engaging the retaining teeth 82 during the extraction of the filter element 10 from the fitting space 14 and prevent the filter material 18 from being damaged during the extraction of the filter element 10 from the fitting space 14.
[0095] In the cross-section shown in Figure 14 through the cover 34, it can be seen that the retaining piece or wing 44, 46 of the fastening element 26 has not yet engaged with the retaining pieces 56 of the thread lock 40.
[0096] Rotating the thread lock 40 relative to the fastening element 26 achieves, as shown in Figure 15, that the retaining piece 56 engages with the wings 44, 46. The corresponding movement of the thread lock 40 is also found in Figure 15 indicated by a curve showing the direction of rotation 106. Petition 870250052153, dated 06 / 23 / 2025, p. 27 / 63
Claims
1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Filter element for an air filter device of a motor vehicle with a structure (16), which at least partially encloses a filter material (18) of the filter element (10), wherein the structure (16) comprises a front wall (20), which extends perpendicularly with respect to an insertion direction (22), wherein the filter element (10) can be introduced into a fitting space (14) of a housing (12) of the air filter device, wherein at least one fastening element (26) is disposed on a front side (24) of the front wall (20), in which a cover (34) of the air filter device configured to close the fitting space is fixed, and wherein the at least one fastening element (26) has at least one retaining piece (44, 46) set away from the front side (24) of the back wall (20), which to close the fitting space (14) by means of the cover (34) can engage with the corresponding retaining parts (56) of the cover (34),characterized in that at least one fastening element (26) has two retaining pieces (44, 46), which are configured as wings projecting from a shaft (42) of the fastening element (26) transversely to the insertion direction (22), wherein the respective retaining piece (44, 46) extending from a first terminal area (48) to a second terminal area (50), facing the filter wall (20), has a ramp shape.
2. Filter element, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one fastening element (26) is set back, in a vertical direction (68) from the front wall (20), from a lower edge of the front wall (20), and against the insertion direction (22) projects from the front side (24), so that it can be inserted into a sleeve-shaped retention area (66) of a fastener (40) disposed on the cover (34), wherein the at least one fastening element (26) surrounded by a retention area (66) can exert tension on its retention parts (44, 46) by means of rotation of the fastener (40) around a rotation axis (70) with the corresponding fastening elements (56) of the fastener (40) on the cover side.
3. Filter element, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a retaining tab (76) projects on a thin side (72) of the front wall (20) of the filter element (10), wherein by inserting the retaining tab (76) into a retaining cavity (80) provided on the side of the housing (12) of the air filter device, the filter element (10) can be secured against movement.
4. Filter element, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the filter element (10) has at least one support plate (96) supporting the filter material (18), which extends between the two opposite walls (20, 28, 30, 32) of the structure (16), wherein it joins the two walls (20, 28, 30, 32) together.
5. Air filter device for a motor vehicle having a filter element (10) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filter element (10) is inserted into a fitting space (14) that is formed in a housing (12) of the air filter device, wherein the fitting space (14) can be closed by means of at least one fastener (40) disposed in a cover (34) of the air filter device, which can be held in the two ramp-shaped retaining pieces (44, 46) of at least one fastening element (26) of the filter element (10).
6. Air filter device, according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one closure (40) of the cover (34) can rotate around the axis of rotation (70) and has a sleeve-shaped retention area (66) with two retention pieces (56), such that at least one fastening element (26) of the filter element can be surrounded by the sleeve-shaped retention area (66), and in a closed position of at least one closure (40) the two retention pieces (56) of the closure (40) engage the two retention pieces (44, 46) of at least one fastening element (26).
7. Air filter device, according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the housing (12) of the air filter device has at least one retaining cavity (80) in which the retaining tab (76) of the filter element (10) is inserted, so that the fixing element (26) of the filter element (10) is oriented in the correct position to close the cover (34) with the latch (40).
8. Air filter device, according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing (12) of the air filter device has at least one retaining element (28), in particular configured, viewed in the insertion direction (22), as upward inclined retaining teeth, in the form of a ramp, which are mounted upstream of the retaining recess (80) in the insertion direction (22).
9. Air filter device, according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the housing (12) has at least one ramp (100) that is arranged in the longitudinal extension direction relative to the retention cavity (80) close to the retention cavity (80), wherein the at least one ramp (100) is configured as inclined downwards from the retention cavity (80), viewed in the insertion direction (22).
10. Air filter device, according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one ramp (100) has an upper zone (102), wherein a height of at least one ramp (100) in the upper zone (102) is greater than a maximum height of at least one retaining element (82), and / or at least one ramp (100), viewed in the insertion direction (22), is configured as inclined upwards towards the upper zone (102). Petition 870250052153, dated 23 / 06 / 2025, p. 30 / 63